Are You Too Busy?

Bible Bites

Roger Shouse
10/31/14 - Bulletin

We live in busy times. Most of us with children at home find ourselves coming and going all the time. The calendar is full of activities. There is very little “down time” or quiet time. Our busy schedules often keep some of us from helping out in the kingdom. For instance, the elders may ask a man to consider serving as a deacon. Without even thinking about the great service that he could render, the person declines saying, “I can’t right now, I’m just too busy.” Or, someone is asked to teach a Bible class. The opportunity is turned down because the person is too busy. Being “too busy” can be an easy excuse for simply not stepping up and doing what we should. Saying “I’m too busy,” sounds so much better than saying, “No, I just don’t want to.” Being busy is assumed to be the banner of a successful parent. Being busy means you are not lazy, bored, or dull. We are just busy people.

But have you ever considered that:

Moses was busy tending his flock when God called him to lead Israel
Gideon was busy threshing wheat when God called him to service
David was busy caring for his father’s sheep when God appointed him king
Nehemiah was busy serving the king when he decided to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem
Peter and John were busy fishing when Jesus called them to follow him

God never used the lazy or idle. He goes to those who are already at work and busy.

Take Note, Brethren:

It takes time to teach a class or open your home to hospitality, or to write a card of encouragement, or have a home Bible study, or to serve as an elder or deacon. Those that are busy doing those things have families, jobs, hobbies, and commitments just like everyone else. In fact, you will find those that are very busy in the kingdom have to fight time commitments, juggle their schedules, sometimes miss activities they’d like to go to just like everyone else. There are times they would like to just lay on the couch and watch TV. There are times when they get stressed because they feel pulled in more than one direction. But they have found some things that others fail to see.

They have found that being busy in the kingdom is worth the sacrifice they must make. They are making a difference and what they are doing is a good work.

They have found that making time for kingdom work teaches their children a valuable lesson. You don’t do everything you want to do first and then if you have any extra time, find something to do for God. You make time for God. You work your schedule to include God. You make time for the work of the Lord. The Lord found time to die on the cross for us. The Lord finds time to bless us and answer our prayers.

There are many busy folks in the kingdom. You are making a difference and we are thankful for that. Being busy is not an excuse for not doing what God wants of us.

— In Biblical Insights, February 2005